We’ve all washed windows before, but perhaps we’ve been doing it wrong this entire time. Through brilliant marketing, most people think a paper towel and some Windex is the best way to clean your windows without streaks. Sure, it’s one way, but there is a better, more effective way to clean your windows, and we’re going to break it down for you.
Clean windows look great inside and out.
On your list of items to clean, windows may be one of the last things you want to tackle. But once you see how clean and streak-free they are, you’ll be glad you did.
Cleaning windows doesn’t have to be a daunting task. It’s pretty easy when you know how to do it correctly. Best of all, you’ll love the result: squeaky clean windows that look great from both the inside and the outside of your home. Who doesn’t want a great-looking home?
Before we dive into how to wash windows without streaks, let’s cover what supplies you’ll need.
What supplies you’ll need to do the job.
Most homeowners gravitate toward paper towels and an off-the-shelf cleaning solution such as Windex. However, if you have ever cleaned your windows that way, you’ll know that it takes a while and doesn’t do a great job.
That’s why we have a slightly different list of supplies. Here’s what you’ll need to do this job:
- Bucket. Typically a 3-gallon bucket will work, but whichever size you have on hand will probably be suitable.
- Sponge. We like the sponges you use for car washes as they’re bigger and have a course side to get built-up gunk.
- Dish soap. That’s right, just plain dish soap. You probably have some dish soap on hand.
- Squeegee. A good size to shoot for is 10 to 12 inches. Anything too small will make the job much longer, too big you won’t be able to fit it on the windows.
- Paper towels or rag. This isn’t for the window itself, but instead for the water that drops down to the stool and apron of the window. Anything that will absorb excess water will work.
For the most part, you can get everything you need for under $20, and you’ll have clean windows for quite some time.
Let’s get to work and wash your windows without streaks.
Now that you have everything you need let’s get to work cleaning.
Step 1: Prepare the solution.
Take about a teaspoon of the dish detergent and mix it with around two gallons of water in your bucket.
You can use either warm or cool water; however, you might want to stick to the colder water if you’re washing on a hot day. This will prevent the water from evaporating before you can squeegee it, resulting in streaks. If you’re washing your windows in freezing weather, you might want to use warm water to prevent the solution from freezing on the windows before you squeegee it.
Step 2: Wipe the windows thoroughly.
With your bucket and solution in hand, it’s time to scrub down the windows.
Soak your sponge in the solution and apply the solution to the window thoroughly. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom. Just like washing your car, soak it down and scrub it hard. If you have built up dirt or mud on the outside of the window, you might have to wash it a couple of times. Apply the solution, let it set, and apply more scrubbing off any built-up debris.
At this point, you should have a sudsy window with all of the dirt and gunk removed.
Step 3: Squeegee for a streak-free shine.
Your windows are soaked but cleaned. It’s time to finish the job with the squeegee.
Like applying the cleaning solution, start at the top and work your way down.
From the top left corner of the window, place the blade of the squeegee flush against the glass. Move the blade along the glass and move straight from top to bottom. This will pull any suds and water down with it. Once you reach the bottom of the glass, start at the top again, slightly overlapping the strip you just squeegeed. This will ensure you don’t miss any spots.
Once you reach the other side, you should have crisp and clear windows. However, you might have a mess of water on the stool (bottom of the window frame).
Step 4: Clean up the excess water.
This is where the paper towels or rags come into play.
Clean up any excess water from the process with the rag. Do it quickly as any standing water can damage the wood framing or walls around the window.
Extra tips and tricks to cleaning your windows like a pro.
We’ve accumulated a few pro-tips over the years. Here are a few from our experts.
- Use vinegar instead of detergent. Vinegar is a bit more acidic than other detergents and cleaners. This allows the solution to break down any dirt, grime, or other films that accumulate on your windows.
- Avoid alcohol-based cleaners. One of the main reasons windows have streaks when you clean them is the ammonia or alcohol in the solution. Avoid using any cleaners that have ammonia or alcohol, and you’ll enjoy a streak-free shine all the time.
- Keep your squeegee fresh. To keep your windows streak-free entirely, you should always have a clean blade on the squeegee. You might want to keep a couple of extras on hand just in case you get a nick or tear in the rubber. When your store the blades, ensure they don’t come in contact with anything that might alter their straight edge or damage them.
- Clean the corners and edges first. A tip that goes a long way is using the squeegee along the edges and corners of your windows first. Think of it like coloring a picture where you start with the edges and fill the rest in. This will allow you to have nice straight strokes as you go from top to the bottom. Not only will your windows look great, but it will make the job easier and faster.
Window washing can be a daunting task, but you can wash your windows without streaks if you have the right supplies and follow some simple steps. We hope these tips have helped you in your window-washing endeavors!